Sand Key Park & Beach

Tampa Bay


If you want a less-crowded beach day, free of commercial folderol, head to this 65-acre, family-friendly beach park. It's at the northern tip of the barrier island to the south, just over the Clearwater Pass Bridge. The sand isn't nearly as fine as at Clearwater Beach, but it's a wide strand with decent shelling that's popular with local families. It has restrooms and outdoor showers, but bring lunch. Clearwater's Jolley Trolley stops here. Daily parking costs $5.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Tampa Bay attractions

1. Pier 60

1.2 MILES

In high season, Clearwater's long stretch of smooth, white sand becomes a scrum of sun-baked coeds and extended families. Hotels, resorts and raucous…

2. Clearwater Marine Aquarium

1.25 MILES

The home of Winter the dolphin, this nonprofit aquarium rescues and rehabilitates injured sea animals, such as dolphins, sea otters, fish, rays, and…

3. Indian Rocks Beach

4.76 MILES

This quieter, family-oriented beach appeals to day-trippers looking for their own stretch of sand. Most of the action is clustered around 17th Ave, where…

4. Caladesi Island State Park

4.84 MILES

Directly to the south of Honeymoon, this park is accessible only by boat and is virtually as nature made it: unspoiled and pristine. Consequently, it…

5. Nature Center

6.9 MILES

Honeymoon Island's Nature Center offers exhibits on local habitats and wildlife, and hosts monthly presentations from wildlife experts, artists and other…

6. Honeymoon Island State Park

6.99 MILES

This park, so named in the 1940s when marketeers pitched the island as the perfect getaway for newlyweds, is graced with the Gulf Coast's legendary white…

7. Seaside Seabird Sanctuary

8.52 MILES

The largest wild-bird hospital in North America, this sanctuary has more than 100 sea and land birds for public viewing, including a resident population…

8. John's Pass Village

12.3 MILES

For an industrial-strength concentration of Florida seaside tackiness, tie up the boat (er, park the car) at this former fishing village now…